Essential Grilling Tools and Equipment

If you want to grill like a pro, you’ll need the right grilling equipment and tools. You don’t have to purchase every tool at once, but it’s important to add to your collection frequently.

Grilling tools & equipment from Backyard Texas Grill

Before long, you’ll have everything you need! And trust me when I say that having the right tools will make your workload easier and take away any unnecessary frustrations.

In other words, these grilling essentials will ensure a successful and enjoyable grilling experience! And you don’t have to start with the best grilling tools on the market. Start small and build up.

So, let’s take a look at some of the more important items you’ll want to consider purchasing, if you don’t have them already. I have included links to my personal favorite items and suggestions to help you narrow down your choices.

This list of handy tools is not exhaustive, but more of a starting point. You can grow your stash over time. Most of these are basic tools you might already have on hand.

Let’s check it out!

Backyard Texas Grill’s Top Grill Accessories Recommendations

Looking for great bbq tools to kick off your grilling adventure? Here are some great suggestions for your next outdoor cooking experience.

Grill: The grill itself is the primary piece of equipment. Grills come in various types, including gas, charcoal, electric, and pellet grills. I use a Traeger Pro 780. It provides the best of both worlds: delicious, smokey-flavored food that is typically only achieved by using an offset smoker, without having to tend to a fire. I can spend time with my family rather than standing over a hot grill all day. The “Wi-Fire” (wifi) connected portion of this grill allows me to monitor temps and make changes on the fly from my phone. This is the best way to ensure the meat cooks perfectly.

Propane Tank or Charcoal: The fuel source for your grill, whether it’s a propane tank for a gas grill or charcoal for a charcoal grill. These can be purchased at your local grocery store or BBQ supply. A quick google search is your best friend when trying to find these items.

Charcoal Chimney Starter: This is a device for igniting charcoal lumps or briquettes. It consists of a metal cylinder with a grate at the bottom, which allows air to circulate around the charcoal. The design creates a chimney effect, allowing for a consistent flow of air, resulting in a faster and more even charcoal burn. Just use a fire starter for the quickest and cleanest way to get things going!

Grill Brush/Scraper: A brush with a long handle for cleaning the grill grates and removing residue and food particles. I would steer clear of anything with metal bristles as these have been known to come loose over time and if ingested can cause serious health issues. Check out this Traeger Wooden grill grate scrape tool for the most effective and safe method. (There’s nothing worse than a dirty grill and wood scrapers are great for easy cleanup.)

Grill Tongs: Long-handled tongs with a locking mechanism are essential for flipping and turning food on the grill, as they provide a safe distance from the heat. Just be sure you always “Double click” them to activate prior to use (it’s a grill dad thing).

Spatula: A wide, flat spatula is useful for flipping burgers, fish, and other delicate items without breaking them apart. I personally prefer larger ones made of metal, which you can find at any home improvement store. Grill spatulas are an essential part of the grilling experience.

Grill Fork: A fork with long tines for piercing and turning larger cuts of meat or whole poultry is important. I recommend choosing tools with long handles to keep distance between your hands and the heat from the grill.

Basting Brush: A brush with heat-resistant bristles for applying sauces, marinades, or oil to your food while it’s grilling. You can find a good silicone basting brush on Amazon or any home goods store.

Aluminum Foil: Useful for creating packets to cook delicate or small items on the grill and for wrapping food for indirect cooking. I recommend using a heavy-duty foil. Any brand will do!

Meat Thermometer: I highly recommend an instant-read meat thermometer (internal temperature probe) for checking the internal temperature of meat to ensure it’s cooked to the desired level of doneness. For accurate reading I use the SMARTRO ST49 Digital Thermocouple, which allows you to calibrate it to ensure accuracy, without breaking the bank. It hasn’t failed me yet and I highly recommend it!

Grill Gloves: Heat-resistant gloves or mitts that protect your hands and forearms when handling hot grill grates or food. This is another item that can be purchased on Amazon or any home improvement store for relatively cheap. They come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.

Grill Basket: A wire or perforated metal basket for grilling small or delicate items like vegetables, shrimp, or fish, preventing them from falling through the grates. The AIZOAM Grill Basket has a multitude of purposes but is especially great for cooking vegetables on the grill.

Meat Claws: Claw-shaped tools for shredding and handling large cuts of smoked or grilled meat, such as pulled pork or brisket. They can be made of metal or plastic (which is my personal preference). These can also be purchased on Amazon or any home goods store.

Smoking Pellets: Wood formed into pellets for use in creating smoke and heat in pellet smokers, like the Traeger Pro 780 or other pellet grills. Some of my favorite pellet brands are: Lumberjack, Bear Mountain or B&B pellets. In my experience, these produce the best and most flavorful smoke. A quick Google search will show you where to buy these locally (a more in-depth review of these pellets will be coming soon!).

Smoke wedgie/smoke tube: This is a stainless steel, lightweight smoker box or tube that holds BBQ pellets and can be used in any grill (including charcoal or propane grills) to add smoke to your favorite foods. These are great for using on a heated grill, and also for cold smoking (no heat). My favorite is the Lumber Jack Smokin’ Wedgie Pellet Smoker, which can be purchased at Walmart, Amazon and many other retailers. This is definitely on my list of must-have grill tools!

Fireproof Mat: This is one of the best grill accessories out there! This functional mat is placed under your grill to protect your deck or patio from heat and grease. I swear by the Questria grill mat, which can be purchased on Amazon. It keeps my patio clean from residual grease drippings that happen while grilling. It’s a life saver for sure!

Grill Cover: A cover or grill shelter to protect your grill from the elements when not in use. You can search for one designed for your specific grill for the best fit, but universal covers like this GrillTough Heavy Duty BBQ Grill Cover also work well. Just get your tape measure out so you can be sure you purchase the right fit!

Other Tools to Consider for a Great BBQ Experience

There are so many things that come in handy while grilling. Here are several basics that I haven’t covered already: lighter fluid, bottle opener, wood skewers, burger press, pizza stone, grill mats, nordic ware pans (baking sheets), and an extra stainless-steel spatula, just to name a few. Make sure the things you buy are perfect for the great outdoors and can take a beating.

The Best Grilling Accessories Can Make You a Grill Master!

Okay, you might not be a grill master, but you’ll stand a better chance at pulling off great meals like our St. Louis-style ribs or Reverse-Seared Steaks if you have what you need in your bbq tool set. (Which reminds me of a tool I forgot to mention: a Beer Can holder, which you’ll need if you make my Drunken Chicken!)

Choosing the right grill gear can make your grilling experience more efficient and enjoyable! Please don’t get overwhelmed by this grilling gear checklist. These tools are not all required to grill, but simply some suggestions to help you get started on your own backyard grilling adventure!